Abstract: Device and method for puncturing blood vessels while using fluoroscopy. The disclosed device enables improved needle orientation control and avoids direct exposure of the clinician's hand to X-ray during the puncturing procedure.

Abstract: An injection device which includes a housing (12), a needle hub (38) slidable within the housing (12), a needle (40) having a distal end piercing tip (42) and a proximal end piercing tip (44), the needle hub (40) being moveable from a first position wherein the distal piercing tip (42) is within the housing to a second position wherein the distal end piercing tip (42) extends outwardly of housing (12), a first spring (23) biasing the needle hub (38) towards the first position, and a cartridge receiving member (48) mounted within the housing, and a plunger rod assembly (166), the plunger rod assembly (166) having a distal interior chamber (102) and a proximal interior chamber (103), the distal interior chamber (102) being designed to receive a cartridge (85) containing a liquid (89), the cartridge having a septum (87) and a plunger (88) to prevent exit of the liquid, and a second needle hub (91) located in the proximal chamber, a second hollow needle (92) mounted in the second needle hub, the second hollow nee

Abstract: A fixator assembly comprising a fixator for fixing inside a blood vessel, the fixator being able to slide proximally along a guide wire. The assembly comprising means for preventing the fixator from moving distally of the preventing means. A tubular element for introduction into a blood vessel of a person, the tubular element comprising an end opening and a plurality of side openings as well as a transport wire extending from inside the tubular element and to the surroundings thereof through an individual side opening.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to a catheter and method. The catheter can be configured as a guiding catheter with a flexible shaft section, a hub disposed at a proximal portion of the shaft section, and a strain relief section that surrounds a predetermined proximal-side range of the shaft section. A distal end of the strain relief section can be moved along an axial direction of the shaft section at least toward the side where the hub is located.

Abstract: A hands-free breast pump system is disclosed. A breast shield having an adhesive inner surface for adhering to a woman's breast is disclosed. The breast shield may be connected to an adapter for transferring a vacuum generated by a pump to the breast. The adapter also allows milk expressed from the breast to drain from the adapter to a container. In the alternative, the breast shield may form part of a breast shield adapter system which is connected to a conventional breast shield by a drain line so that a conventional breast pump system is used to supply a vacuum and to collect the milk.

Abstract: The present invention relates to open irrigated catheter ablation systems and methods used in connection with open irrigated catheter systems. The systems and related methods can control irrigation fluid flow to obtain temperature responses indicative of temperatures associated with an ablation procedure. Embodiments of the present invention provide irrigated catheter ablation systems having controlled irrigation fluid flow that can be directed at target areas where coagulation is more likely to occur to help minimize blood coagulation and associated problems. The irrigated fluid flow may be regulated in connection with an established or predetermined temperature threshold to improve or better optimize cooling and ablation properties of the system. In embodiments, irrigation flow may be either delayed or intermitted.

Abstract: A safety shield system (60) for a compression syringe (10) having a compressible reservoir (46), a needle cannula (12) for fluid communication with the reservoir (46) and having a forward tip (16), the safety shield system (60) having at least a holder shield portion (62) designed to be attached to the compression syringe (10), and a movable shield portion (64), designed to be movable relative to the compression syringe (10) from a first position wherein the tip (16) is exposed, to a second position wherein the movable shield portion (64) covers the tip (16). The holder shield portion (62) and movable shield portion (64) being provided with retainer (51, 52, 70) arranged to cooperate in the first position to prevent the movable shield portion (64) from moving toward its second position.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic pill (102) for delivery of a medication (104) inside a mammal. The electronic pill (102) comprises a reservoir (106) for releasing the medication (104) in response to a predefined level of pressure. Furthermore a primary elastic element (108) is comprised for applying said predefined level of pressure to the reservoir (106) via a piston (110) upon release from the piston (110) of its constrained position. The piston (110) in its turn, when in constrained position, induces a predefined level of stress in the primary elastic element (108) by accordingly deforming it. The electronic pill (102) comprises a mechanism (114) for changing, upon actuation, from a constraining configuration in which the piston (110) is maintained at its constrained position to a releasing configuration in which the piston (110) is released.

Abstract: A method of managing insulin includes receiving blood glucose measurements on a computing device from a glucometer. The blood glucose measurements are separated by a time interval. The method includes determining, using the computing device, an insulin dose rate based on the blood glucose measurements and determining a blood glucose drop rate based on the blood glucose measurements and the time interval. The method also includes determining a blood glucose percentage drop based on the blood glucose measurements. The method includes decreasing the time interval between blood glucose measurements by the glucometer when the blood glucose drop rate is greater than a threshold drop rate, and decreasing the time interval between blood glucose measurements by the glucometer when the blood glucose percentage drop is greater than a threshold percentage drop.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to infusion devices, systems, and methods to detect a capacity of a collapsible fluid reservoir of an infusion cartridge and/or a volume of a fluid disposed in the collapsible fluid reservoir or some other parameters of the infusion cartridge, and setting corresponding therapeutic parameters of an infusion device. Embodiments may include, obtaining data on the volume of fluid in the collapsible fluid reservoir, analyzing the obtained data to determine the setting of therapeutic parameters, and setting one or more therapeutic parameters of an infusion device.

Abstract: A phacoemulsification flow rate detection system and method for directly measuring the rate of fluid flowing into and out of the eye during a cataract operation.

Abstract: An introducer sheath is described. The introducer sheath may include a tubular body. The tubular body may extend from a distal end toward a proximal end. The tubular body may include a lumen. The lumen may at least partially be defined by a wall. A channel may be disposed within the wall. The channel may be configured to receive a guidewire. The tubular body may include an expandable portion expandable to increase a cross-sectional area of the lumen.

Abstract: The invention provides, in some aspects, a container system for medical solutions such as peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions. The invention particularly features a system which includes a first compartment that contains a first medical solution, e.g., a PD osmotic agent, and a second compartment that contains a second medical solution, e.g., a PD buffer agent. The compartments maintain their respective contents separately from one another for purposes of transport, storage and/or sterilization. However, the compartments are fluidly couplable, so that their respective contents can be combined with one another, e.g., following sterilization of the agents and prior to their introduction into the patient's abdomen. To that end, a container system can include a diffuser that is disposed in a fluid pathway between the first and second compartments, e.g., to facilitate homogeneous mixing of the first and second PD agents.

Abstract: Described here are paranasal sinus devices for treating paranasal sinus conditions. The devices include a cavity member, ostial member, and nasal portion. One or more of the cavity member, ostial member, and nasal portion may deliver an active agent for sustained release to treat the paranasal sinus condition. Exemplary paranasal sinus conditions are sinus inflammation due to functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and rhinosinusitis.

Abstract: A syringe fill system is described, which is useful for filling syringes for dental anesthetic applications. The system incorporates capability for “push-pull”, “pull-push”, “push-push”, and “pull-pull” modes of operation, for loading syringes with compositions comprising multiple fluid components. A syringe fillable by such syringe fill systems is described, providing haptic and audible feedback to a user, to aid in administering precise amounts of therapeutic compositions. Also disclosed are cassette assemblies for use in such syringe fill systems. Such cassette assemblies may be formed of plastic and elastomeric materials of construction, as disposable or single-use components of the syringe fill system.

Abstract: Disclosed are a piston for a micro-volume syringe and a plunger. The micro-volume syringe has a syringe barrel with a space defined in it. The piston is slidable on and along a wall of the space. A leading member to be arranged on a side where the piston comes into contact with a solution filled in the space and a trailing member to be arranged on a side where a plunger rod is to be connected, the latter side being opposite to a solution side of the leading member, have been integrated with each other. The trailing member has a higher hardness than the leading member. With the micro-volume syringe in which a drug solution can be filled in a very small quantity, the piston makes it possible to perform smooth drawing and ejection of the drug solution without leakage. Even if the small piston connected to a tip of the plunger rod is operated in a direction that the piston is to be pulled out of the syringe, the plunger rod does not slip off from the piston accidentally.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying thermotherapy to a part of the human or animal body comprising an applicator having a flexible enclosure in which thermal energy transfer fluid can circulate, a connector for connecting the applicator to a control system, an interface layer for providing a thermally conductive interface between the flexible enclosure and a treatment site and, an electrically conductive supporting layer for supporting the interface layer and capable of being energized by an electrical signal from the control system to improve the thermal conductivity of the interface layer. The apparatus also includes a valve unit for connecting the applicator to a control system, a heat exchanger for cooling a thermal energy transfer fluid and a control system for controlling the application of thermotherapy.

Abstract: Described is a drive mechanism for a drug infusion pump. In one embodiment, an in-line drive mechanism is provided that includes a motor operatively coupled to a lead screw, which is configured to engage a piston. The piston includes a cavity to receive the motor and the lead screw such that the lead screw and at least a portion of the motor are substantially contained within the piston cavity when the piston is in a retracted position. In one embodiment, the motor rotates a drive shaft is configured to turn a mechanism comprising a piston, a lead screw, and a housing that cooperate to extend telescopically to drive a plunger into a medicament cartridge, thereby expelling fluid.

Abstract: An infusion device for infusion of a fluid from a reservoir into a body, the infusion device being connectable to an infusion set adaptor at a connecting site, the infusion device comprising: a drive mechanism to operatively couple with at least a portion of the reservoir; a housing being sized to contain at least a portion of the reservoir, wherein the drive mechanism is at least partially or fully contained within the housing; a sealing device that permits the passage of air into and out of the housing or a housing compartment and inhibits the passage of liquids into the housing or a housing compartment through the sealing device; wherein the sealing device is arranged at the drive mechanism or at a location between a part of the drive mechanism and the connecting site of the infusion set adaptor or at the connecting site of the infusion set adaptor.

Abstract: A mobile medical pump has a tubular cartridge unit with a first end having an interface to an infusion line and a second, open end having a first engagement interface, with a piston inserted in the cartridge and engaging an inner diameter of the cartridge, such that translation of the piston within the cartridge will draw in or expel liquid to or from the cartridge, a case housing having an opening for inserting the cartridge and an internal second engagement interface at a depth that, with a cartridge fully inserted and the first and second engagement interfaces joined, an infusion line may be connected to the first end external to the case, and a piston rod within the case housing, the piston rod having a permanent magnet at a first end with a planar surface orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the piston rod, and a threaded opening at an opposite end engaging a rotatable translation screw driven by a translation drive system including an electric motor.